Electrically-controlled semaphore.



E. R. GILL.

ELEGTRICALLY GONTROLLBD SEMAPHORB. APPLICATION FILED JULY 27, 1907,

1 ,0 l 3,29()n Patented' Jau. 2, 1912.

` E. R. GILL. ELEOTRICALLY CONTROLLED S3EMAPH0.T T'

APPLICATION FILED JULY 27, 1907.

1,01 3,290, Patented Jan.2,1912

' 4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Ill'? E. R. GILL.

ELECTRICALLY GONTROLLED SEMAPHORE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 2v, 1907.

1,013,290, Patented Jan.2,1912.

4 SHEETS-'SHEET 3` E. R. GILL.

BLECTRICALLY GONTROLLED SBMAPHORE.

APXLIGATION FILED JULY 27. wor

1,018,290` Patented Jan. 2, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEB1-1 @WMM/w o Svwc'wkoz @Qua/f.' 3&1" J emowmd MaK@ lUNiTED STATES PATENT oEEicE.

EDi'WIN R. GILL,-0F YONKERSy-NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

HOWARD E. MERRELLDF NEW YORK, lN'. Y., v.AND URLO J. HAMLIN, OF SMETH- 20M, PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRICALLNC0NTR0LLED sEMAPHonE.

To all/whom z'tvmag/ concern.

Be it known that I, EDWIN R.4 Gini., a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Yonkers, county of Westchester, :and

State of New York, have invented a certain new and 'useful Improvementv in Electri-v cally-Controlled Semaphores, of which the following is aispecification. Y' *The present. invention has. relation to an improvement in means for controlling`r Semaphores and similar signals from' a -distanhce By Vthe vuse of this invention an indefinitel number of semaphores may be locatedlbe side a railway -track and anyone of the same danger from p can be operated for safety,"or any .point on the line of road." V l y One principal advantage of my improve` mcntlies in the fact that, in railway prac# tice, any additional battery or circuit w-irej nor does such use alect t-he apparatus `itselfzi Another advantage of my improvcd'ap-4 paratus is that the train despatcher (oiv other person operating a semaphore from a rli`stance)'is supplied with means whcrebv he is unmistakablyinformed of the actual movement -of the semaphore' to sa'iety; or'

danger in response to his etfois. This is accomplished without the use of any additional batteries or wires.

Anothcradvantage of this invention that the keys, Sounders and relays already l standardized an'd in common use are cmployed in operating uthe scmaphorcs and in receivingr the signals which announcethc fact of actual operat1on. Thus the use Aof -this invention does not makeit ncccssarvyto. educate operators ,1n4 the use of unfamiliar' instruments. A. My invention is illustrated'by way of example in the accompanying drawings whercin- Figure 1 shows a'diagram of circuits for i Specification ot Letters Patent. i Application led lJ'iily 27,' 1907. Serial No. 385,845.

Patented Jan. 2, 1912.

operation oit a single semaphore, Fig. 2

shows the electric relation of a group of semapliores to the despatchers instruments, Fig. 3 is'a side .elevation of an illustrative fornij of selective circuit closer and Fig. 4 is an elevation of an illustrative form of answer back device.

By placing a series vot"semaphores at suitable points along a line of railway, caclrof vwhichA can hcselectively and `individually operated directly by the train dcspatcher any trainl can be stopped at any desired pointl so as to enable the despateher-to communicate :liilly `with the train conductor by telephone or telegraph. Such signals can taketli'e place ofthe si nal towers andex# .Y

tra 'i'iperators now emp oyed or they may be placed. between such to'wers so as to pro.-l

vide a supplemental service greatly extending the speed and certainty lof communicat-ion vwith trains.

The general plan of my improved system is shown `in `Fig. A2 wherein the .despatcliers keyfsounder and relay are shown respectively at 1, 2 and 3 andthree semaphores are indicated at 4, 5, and (l. At cach semaphore is shown a.` pair of selective circuit closeis .7 and S, controlled by a local circuit (shown in Fig. 1) `governed by a rela)r 9. T he lrelays of the various semaphorcs are in series witl'i each other and with the main line 10'which-is grounded at 11. The main lille 4battcry'12is also grounded at 13.

' 'At cach semaphore there is placed a pair if iuiswerback mechanisms,indicated at 14, .15. which coi'rcspondto the two selective circuit closers 7. .8 respectively., 'Fliese devices are all in series Ewith theinain line'. and with the relays t), to which they are conncct'ed'by wi resv 84.

vMy improved apparatus is capable oi adaptation Vto an "indefinite number of kindsof semaphore-operating mechanisms,

whether operateddirectly hy ,electricity ,or-

worked indirectly thereby 'and utilizing other motive power to move the semaphore arm. It is thcrefore'to be understood that this invention is applicable to any sema-v phore the operation of which is determined by control of an electric circuit.

ln Fig. 1 is shown a semaphore the mo tive agent .for which is a simple solenoid,

and this is intended merely to exemplify this part of my invention as a general type thereof.

The semaphore arm 17 is pivoted at 18 to a pillar 19 and is provided with the usual bulls eye 20 on the opposite side of the pivot from the day signal. The entire pivoted signal is so balanced as to tendl to assume the liorizonta-l position of Fig. 2 which corresponds to'dangcr. In order to swing the signal to safety the solenoid 21 is provided and its movable core is secured at 22 to the semaphore arm.

As shown'in Fig. 1, the semaphore has' been brought to safety by suitable operation. ,of the se ctive circuit closer 7 (as hereinafter described), this being'accomplishcd by the rela-y 9. This relay closes a local circuit 23 from the battery 24 whenever the main line Icircuit. is broken at the despatchers key 1. ,'I'hus the normal closed circuit con'- dition of the main line leaves the circuit 23 o pen. '-The selective device 8 is in parallel with 7 on the same circuit 23, but the ar-,

rangement of successive long and short impulses Which operates one selective mechanism will not operate the other. Operation of the device 7 closes a circuit 25 through the magnet 26.'- The armature 27 is' thus` drawn to theriglit and the circuit of the solenoid 21 is closed at 28. In the same manner,4 if the device 8 is operated, circuit 29 is closed through the magnet 30, and the armature 27 being drawn to the left, circuit is broken at 28,so that the arm 17 is free to rise to danger position by its own balance.

From what has been thus far described it will be seen that, by providing two selective circuit closers of any kind capable of operation by long and short electro-magnetic impulses, and so arranged as to open and close (or otherwise suitably control) the circuit or circuits which determine action of the semaphore arm, an operator at a 'distance can move a given semaphore either to danger or to safety at will by producing suitably I- spaced or timed closings of circuit at the key 1. If any number of semaphores, 4, 5, 6, similarly equipped is placed with their relays in series on the same main line circuit, and no two -of the selective devices operate on the same combination, any one' of such semaphores may be moved to safety or danger at will, and the operation of any onewill not interfere with any other.

While my invention may be embodied in apparatus comprising any type of elect-romagnetic selective mechanism for controlling the circuits which determine operation of the semaphores, I have shown a simple mechanism of this kind 4by way of illustration in Fig.;3.

At 31 is shown the casing within which thisapparatus is preferably located. A metal ratchet wheel 32 is normally impelled in the direction of the arrow in. Fig. 3 by the Fig. 1. This magnet attracts thearmature lever 39 insulated at its pivt, to which lever In its noris attached the ratchetbar 40 in a Well ,A

known manner.' This bar moves the lwheel 32 a tooth at a time each time the magnet 36` is energized. In tions of the magnet 36, the bar 40 descends and moves away' from the wheel 32 farenough to free the wheel but the return of the wheel under the influence of the spring 33 is prcventedby the pawl 41.

The pawl '41 may be drawn out of engagement with the teeth of the wheel 32 by an the intervals between" acelectro-magnet 42 provided with two' sepa-Y rate coils 43, 44. One end of the coil 43 is connected by wire 45 to the small battery 46 while its other end connects by wire 47 to L spring terminal 48 which forms part of thej retarded circuit changer hereinafter described. One end of the coil 44 is connected i to the insulated lever 39 by wire 49 and the i other end is connected by wire 50 with theframe of the machine through the wheel 32.

The retarded circuit changer is construct ed as follows. The lever 51 is pivoted at 52 in electrical connection with the framework 'i and is'l so balanced that itslonger end tends constantly to move slowly downward. This lever is normally held up in the position shown by the metallic projection 53 which rests upon the lever 39.

A light insulated switch arm 54 swings between the terminal 48 and the insulated stop 55 and is balanced by a fork56 of insulating material. The tip of the lever 51 enters this fork 'and tends, normally to` hold the arm 54 in the position shown. The arm 54 is connected by wire 57 to an insulated terminal 58 against which presses the tip of a light spring 59, insulated from the framework and provided with a curved offset 60 the apex of which crosses the path of movement "of a number of circnlarly placed metallic pins l61 fixed to the front face of the I' Wheel 32. A'Ihisvspring 59 is connected by the Wire 62 to thebattery 46fon the opposite side from the wire 45. A wire 63 connects the core of the-magnet 36 with the wire 45.

The wheel 32 is connected to the binding post 6.4,v while binding post 65 'is connected by wire.66 toa suitable conducting terminal G7 projecting into the path of movementy o f the pin 34. It, is by bringing 34 into contact with 67 that the exterior local circuit 25 is closed throughthe binding posts 64, 65, i,

whereby the magnet 26 is made to close the circuit of the solenoid' 21` which operates *the semaphore. As soon as this has been accomplished, the main line being closed at the dcspatcliers key 1, the ciicuit of the Y magnet 36 is left open. i K i W Movement ofthe wheel 32 for this purlpose is accomplished as follows,:-.'\ssuiningr the pins 61 to be so placed that the first action of the bar 40 vbringsla. pin against the curved .portion 60'of the light spring 59, i

this spring will be pushed away rom vthe terminal 58, breaking circuit at that point, but making electric connection with Vthe framework through thel pin 61 and wheel 352.I A circuit is thus' closed from battery '46 by wire 62,'spring` 59, pin 61, machine Vtrame, wire 50, coil, 44, wire 49, lever. 39,

f core of magnet 36 andwire 63 to balttery 46. The e'ect of thisl ,will be to energize the magnet 42 andv raise the pawl 41, so that the i wheel 32, not being held, will return to the `normal position Shown as soon as liberated bythe pawl 40. The pawl 41 is balaneed'on its pivot so that it drops ontoI the wheel 32 slowly, thus giving time for return to nor- 5 ni'a1 after the magnet circuit is broken at.;

36 vby 'release' lof the lever 39. This return to ,norma-l can be prevented, however, by prolongingt-he active period of the magnet 36 'until the projection 53 on the slow inov,

0 A.ing lever 51 descendsl so as to touch the lever "139 again lVlien this occursa short'. circuit is formed around the coil 44 by the wii'c 68 and the pawl 41 will be released so as to hold the wheel when next liberated' b v thel 35. pawl 40. Thus it will'be seen that, if atthe "end of the aclionof the magnet 36 and pawl 40, a pin 61 presses down the spring 59, it will be necessary to wailbetore deiiitergizing 36 until the retarded circuit" changer acts. 40 Otherwise the wheel 32 will rctu ir'to noi' lmal as soon as liberated by the pa 'l 40. On the other hand, if .the sp/rii'ig 59 is not depressed by a pin 61 wli'en the magnet 36 p act?, no' circuit. will be formed at. first, and nd1 "'gizcd /pre a "ito'ry to' another action. lf a `/'pai'is ,'is diiidi during ictivity of the magnet 36 until the retarded circuit changer can act,

the tip of the 'lever 51 will cause the ii'm 5t to strike the' terminal-48 and lcircuit will he Vclosed as follows: from the battery '46 by the wire 62. spring 59, terminal 58. wire 57, arni 54"terininal 4 8, wire 47. coil 43.'

wire. 45 and back to battery. .'lliis will 5 raise the pawl 41 and the wheel 32 will re- 'vtiirnlo normal wh'en released by the driving pawl 40. ltwill thus be seen that, b v an appropriate :iii iii;,reii'ientof the pins 6l.. a eertain l'n'eari'angcd succession of lone: and "o short. actions of the magnet 36 musi bn pre- `duced iii order to rotaie the wheel 32 fai' enough to close the exterior circuit at 67. A mistake at any point in the combination will throw the wheel 32 back to normal. The mechanism 8 is constructed on-the ,magn'et should be iinii'iediately deiinerf returns it tothe'position shown in dette same plan as the device 7 but the pins 61 in the device 8 are arranged differently from th se in 7, so that the two shall not be opera ed by the saine combination. 'i

It has been made clear so far by what'. 7U means the despatcher is enabled to command theV position of 4any one semaphore on the main line 10. But in practice it. becomes important to provide means whereby the despatcher may. be instantly apprised as to 7-5 whether or not he has been successful in operating the particular semaphore in the' manner' desired. For this purpose I provide an automatic answer back device, also on the main line, whereby impulses are 80 transmitted back over the line to operate-the despatchers sounder. A separate answer back is `provided at each semaphore to eorrespoiid to each movement thereof, and each answer back is'prefeiably arranged to re- 86 peat upon the despatchers sounder the same combination of sho'rt and long impulses'as that used to operate the corresponding selec-4 tive mechanism. Of course if desired the combination signal of the answer back may be different from the combination which- 'operates the corresponding selector. A great n l u variety of answer back devices may be used in this manner without departing from my invention, and I have indicated a simple example of this type of mechanism in Fig. 4,'- by way of example. f v j lVithin the usual casing 68 is located a metal wheel 69`havin teeth 70, with inclined Hacks and plac'e a't various distances 100 apart to correspond to the combination an- .swer back signal to be produced. The arrow in Fig. 4 shows the direction in which the wheel 69 is automatically moved. This movement is produced by any desired train of gearing such, for instance, as the pinion V71 on the saine'shaft as the wheel 69 which pinion is driven b the spur gear 72'. This gear is mounted loosely upon the shaft-73 to which ai'e fixed the crank handle 74; and 110 toothed pinion 7 5. 'A spring-pressed pawl 76 is carried on the face of the gearV 72 and engages .with the ratchet 75. lVhen the handle 74 isI depressed as shown by the arrow near it the ratchet 75 rides idly under 115 the pawl 7 6 and the gear 72 does not move.

This movement,- liowever, winds up spiral spring'77 Vattached tothe shaft 73, so that when'the handle 74 is liberated this sprin lines. During this movement the ratchet 75 and pawl 76 'act to turn the gear 72 so as to rcvcilve the wheel 69 as shown by the arrow. The sizes of the gears and pinions a're so calculated that the quarter turn given 125 to the wheel 72 produces one complete revolutieii of the wheel 69. As the wheel 69 turns, thc outer surfaces of its teeth move under a tipping lever 78 pivoted and insulated at 79. When not supported by a tooth, 130.

to the binding post 83. From the post 83 on the answer back 15, the wire 84 leads by.

the relay 9 tothe mainline 10. The wire 85 connects the post 82 on the answer back 15 tothe same post onthe device 14. The

post 83 on this latter answer back is connected directly to the main line 10. Thus the relay 9 and bot-h answerback devices are in series with each other and with the niain line. The specific connections just described are not essential as long as this series arrangement is preserved.

If, by any accident, the motion of the wheel 69 should be arrested when the lever 78 is between two teeth,the main line would be left openand all communication would be interrupted. To prevent this disaster I l prefer to provide suitable means for closing the main line around the teeth of 69 in case of the occurrence above mentioned. One means for accomplishing thisis shown 1n Fig. 4. Here the light long metal lever 86 is pivoted at 87 at one end, while its opposite end is connected to the movable part of the dash pot 88. This .lever is supported by the insulating leg 89.which rests upon the lever 78, so that when this latter is depressed, the lever 86 movesl downward, bein retarded by the dash pot 88.

A(.luring normal operation, the teeth 70 l follow each other so rapidly that the retarded lever 86 has not time to fall into the dotted line position, but in case of arrest of the wheel 69 while the lever 78 isl depressed and the main line thus opened, the lever 86 will sink into the dotted line position and touch the hub of the lever 78. T helever 86 is connected to the machine framework and thus to the binding post 82. Contact between 86 and 7 8 thus closes the mainline, and restores communication.

Turning now to Fig. 1, there will be seen the preferred mode of correlating the action of the two` answer back devices 14 and 15 with their corresponding selective mechanisms 7 and 8.l In this ligure means are shown whereby movement of the semaphore arm 17 one way or the other will cause operation of one or the other of the answer back devices. In the specific illustrative form shown, I provide two rods 90, 91 pivoted to the semaphore arm lon opposite sides of its pivot, and at the lower ends of these rods are provided forked or slotted extensions 92, 93 takin over the handles 74. These slots arefwie enough to' allow the handles to. move in a circular arc.. the arm 17 moves downward tosafety in respouse to the mechanism 7, the rod 91 1sdepressed and the top of the slot in 93 lowers the handle 74, winding the spring 77 and preparing the mechanism 15 for operation when 91 next rises. At the same time the rod 90 rises and liberates the handle 74 of mechanism 14 which had been previously set by lowering of the rod 90. It is thus seen that the answer back 14 corresponds to selector 7 while answer back l5 corresponds to selector 8.

Any ymechanism having similar or equivalent actions to those of the devices 15 and 7 can be substituted in their places and many other changes can be made in the various elements of this apparatus without departing from my invention.

What I claim is- 1. In apparatus of the kind described, a line, a pair of selectors connected tothe line respectively answering'to dilferentseries of impulses, means for impressing such impulses upon the line, a motive engine connected to both selectors and controlled thereby respectively, and a semaphore controlled by the engine.

2. In apparatus of the kind described, a line, a pair of selectors connected to the line respectively answering to different series of impulsesfmeans for impressing such impulses upon the line, a motive engine con- -nected to both vselectors and controlled thereby respectively, a semaphore controlled by the engine, and an answer back device connected to the line for each selector, said answer back devices corresponding distinctively with saidselectors, and their `operation being determined respectively by that of the semaphore.

3. In apparatus of the kind described, a line, a pair of selectors connected to the line impulses, means for impressing such iinpulses upon the line, an electro-mechanical engine connected to both selectors and controlled thereby respectively, and a semaphore controlled by the engine.

4. In apparatus of the kind described, a line, a pair of selectors connected to the line respectively answering to different series of impulses, means for impressing such impulses upon the line, an electro-mechanical engine connected to both selectors and controlled thereby respectively, a semaphore 'controlled by the engine, and an answer back device connected to t-he line for each selector, said answer back devices corresponding distinctively with said selectors, and their operation being determined re` spectively by that of the semaphore.

5. In apparatus of -the kind described, a line, a local circuit, an electro-magnetic engine in said local circuit, a movable contact in said'local circuit for opening and closing the circuit, a pair of selectors connected ,to the main line and adapmd, respectively to actuate said movable contact to open and close said local circuit, said selectors answering respectively to different series of impulses, means for impressing such 'impulses upon the line, and al semaphore con-A trolled by said engine.

6. In apparatus of the kind described, a line, a local circuit, an electromagnetc engine in said local circuit, a movable contact in said local circuitJ for opening and closing the circuit, a pair of selectors connected to the main line and adapted respectively to actuate said movable contact to open and close said local circuit, said selectors answering EDWIN R. GILL.

Titnesses H. S. MACKAYE, JAMES S. LAING. 

